Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot Herbie Husker during the game against the Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, 2015, in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images) ...

Nebraska features a core of emerging young leaders, led by Raiola. But Rhule believes in the older players on the roster, he said, to direct the Huskers through their toughest challenges.